In the night of December 21st (Gregorian Calendar; dec. 11th Julian Calendar) Savoyard troops (2,000 men, commanded by the
Seigneur d'Albigny), in a surprise attack moved towards Geneva undetected; a number of the soldiers scaled the city walls of Geneva.
Genevan night guard Jacques (or Isaac) Mercier raised the alarm, church bells were rung to rally the Genevans; the burghers' militia
prevented the invaders from opening the city gates; Duke Charles Emmanuel of Savoy-Piemont's attempt to take Geneva by surprise
failed. The Genevans lost 18 men in the event; the enemy suffered 54 fatalities, 13 invaders had been taken prisoner. They were hanged
the next day.
King Henri IV. of France, several Swiss Cantons and other European dignitaries pressed
Savoy-Piemont to conclude peace; this was done in the Treaty of St. Julien,
July 12th 1603. Savoy-Piemont had been supported by Spain and the Pope.
Genevans still today celebrate the anniversary of the event with a parade.